[Balloon-cell nevi and balloon-cell malignant melanoma].

Results of morphological and ultrastructural study of balloon-cell nevi and malignant melanomas (10 cases) are presented. The transition between typical and balloon cells was characteristic regardless of the site, clinicomorphological variant and biology of the disease. Polymorphism is typical for balloon-cell structures in malignant melanomas. The disturbance of the melanin synthesis and its precursors, progressing cell vacuolization support degenerative character of the process.